Enigma of Darkness ✨

Ripples from the past

The week following the marking was nothing short of eventful for the people of Wolford. As the media and authorities scrambled to identify the mates, all eyes turned to the Pillars, desperate for any sign of an extraordinary individual among their ranks.

Yet no one knew who the mates were, and speculation ran wild. Araki's name circulated, but his family and company remained tight-lipped. Even their extended relatives, like the Li family, were left in the dark, despite their own attempts to uncover the truth. The hunt for the mates was relentless, but every guess missed its mark.

Azrail, growing increasingly anxious, attempted to contact Araki directly and even enlisted Ella to pry information from the Yus. But the Yu family was prepared. They carried on as if nothing had changed, with Araki burying himself in work at the office, all while Azrail and his network grew more uneasy by the day.

As for Lucian, no one bothered to wonder where he was—or if he was still alive.

In the background, Azrail's empire began to crumble. His associated businesses were collapsing, either due to illegal dealings coming to light or other regulatory failures. His men disappeared without a trace, one by one. He had a strong suspicion of who was behind it all, but no concrete evidence to back his claims.

Meanwhile, the media fixated on the mysterious phenomenon that had taken place on that fateful morning. News channels buzzed with speculation and historical accounts of the mates, recounting legends of how they had once shaped Wolford in eras past.

Common folk gossiped in their usual fashion, spinning wild rumors—some claiming to have seen the mates, describing them as colossal and otherworldly beings. The more people talked, the more fantastical the stories became, feeding into a frenzy of misinformation.

Yet this media storm only lasted a few days before an even greater shock hit Wolford, leaving everyone—especially those within 'Solace'—reeling.

After posting their ominous message of return, Umbra seized control of devices once more, preparing to play their final, twisted card. Screens everywhere erupted in a burst of colorful animation, with virtual fireworks exploding in vivid hues.

A lighthearted children's rhyme began playing in the background—innocent, yet unsettling in its juxtaposition. Then, a chilling voice took over, a woman's eerie tone as if she were singing a rhyme to call her students, her voice dripping with malice.

"Little children, little children, where are you? Where are you? Won't you come out, won't you come out, until the eyes are on you?"

The animated and creepy eyes of the teacher moved left to right looking for the said children. The sound of children's laughter followed, distorted and haunting, sending shivers down the spines of onlookers.

Whether on the street, in buses, cars, offices, or homes, people froze, their attention gripped by the scene unfolding on their screens. They stared in growing horror, unable to tear their eyes away from the nightmarish display on their devices or the towering screens in public spaces.

The Umbra logo appeared, flickering ominously, as the voice continued to echo through the air. On the screen, animated children shuffled into a classroom, their wide, unnatural grins plastered on their faces as they took their seats.

The teacher, standing at the front of the room, turned toward the audience with a disturbingly sweet smile, her eyes glinting with something far more sinister.